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A heart attack is caused by lack of oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart muscle. Blood flow is usually blocked by a blood clot in one or more of the coronary arteries around the heart.
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Heart attack) that could possibly cause Heart attack includes:
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Heart attack that are listed by the Diseases Database:
The following conditions have been cited in various sources as potentially causal risk factors related to Heart attack:
The following medical statistics relate to risk factors for Heart attack:
To research the causes of Heart attack, consider researching the causes of these these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Heart attack:
Causes of Broader Categories of Heart attack: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical conditions:
Other conditions that might have Heart attack as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Heart attack. Our database lists the following as having Heart attack as a complication of that condition:
Conditions listing Heart attack as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Heart attack. Our database lists the following as having Heart attack as a symptom of that condition:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Heart attack as a symptom.
This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances
may cause your symptoms.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 237 medications causing Heart attack
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Heart attack as a symptom.
The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 59 drug interactions causing Heart attack
Article excerpts about the
causes of Heart attack:
A heart attack happens when a blood vessel in or near the heart becomes blocked. Not enough blood can get to that part of the heart muscle. That area of the heart muscle stops working, so the heart is weaker. During a heart attack, you may have chest pain along with nausea, indigestion, extreme weakness, and sweating. (Source: excerpt from Keep your heart and blood vessels healthy: NIDDK)
The heart works 24 hours a day, pumping oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the body. Blood is supplied to the heart through its coronary arteries. In coronary heart disease (CHD), plaques or fatty substances build up inside the walls of the arteries. The plaques also attract blood components, which stick to the artery wall lining. Called atherosclerosis, the process develops gradually, over many years. It often begins early in life, even in childhood.
The fatty buildup or plaque can break open and lead to the formation of a blood clot that seals the break. The clot reduces blood flow. The cycle of fatty buildup, plaque rupture, and blood clot formation causes the coronary arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow.
When too little blood reaches the heart, the condition is called ischemia. Chest pain, or angina, may occur. The pain can vary in occurrence and be mild and intermittent, or more pronounced and steady. It can be severe enough to make normal everyday activities difficult. The same inadequate blood supply also may cause no symptoms, a condition called silent ischemia.
If a blood clot suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to the heart, a heart attack results. Cells in the heart muscle that do not receive enough oxygen-carrying blood begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. (Source: excerpt from What Is A Heart Attack: NHLBI)
A heart attack occurs when there is a severe blockage in an artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The blockage is usually caused by the buildup of plaque (deposits of fat-like substances, or atherosclerosis) along the walls of the arteries. The sudden lack of blood flow to the heart muscle deprives the heart of needed oxygen and nutrients. If the blockage is not opened quickly, the heart muscle is likely to suffer serious, permanent damage as areas of tissue die. (Source: excerpt from Heart Attack: NWHIC)
The medical term for a heart attack is acute myocardial infarction. Acute means sudden, myo refers to muscle, and cardia refers to heart. The myocardium is the medical name for the heart muscle. Infarct refers to the artery being plugged or clogged up (Source: excerpt from Heart Attack: NWHIC)
The following conditions are listed as possible triggers for Heart attack:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Heart attack:
The following are statistics from various sources about the causes of Heart attack:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Heart attack may be found in:
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Copyright © 2011 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 7 May, 2013 (2:42)
